Watch the opening gala of Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition 2019!

The highly anticipated world-class event for gardening arts and plant exhibition, the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition, kicked off at the Gui Rui Performing Arts Center in Yanqing District, Beijing, on Sunday, with a grand opening gala featuring various classic music and dance performances from China and other countries.

Starting from 8: 30 p.m. (BJT), the gala opens with a children's chorus. Through their clear, pure voices, they expressed the public's longing for a beautiful home, which also reflects the theme of the Exhibition – "Live Green, Live Better." 

A performance of elegance and pastoral imagination called "The Fantastic Pasture" was presented by famed Chinese pianist Lang Lang, accompanied by ballet dancers from Beijing Dance Academy. With music adapted from Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony," the performance described the poetic and picturesque landscapes in the fields in a gentle and merry melody.

The performance of "Musical Charm of the East." /CGTN Photo

Then came showtime for traditional Chinese instruments. In "Musical Charm of the East," four kind of instruments – Guzheng and Guqin, which are from the zither family, Pipa (Chinese lute),and Xiao (a kind of bamboo flute) – presented a concerted music unit adapted from classic Chinese songs “Flowing Water” and “Three Variations on the Plum Blossom."

"Por Una Cabeza" is a tango song written in 1935 with music by Argentina composer Carlos Gardel and lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera.

The song was featured in a famous tango scene in Martin Brest's "Scent of a Woman" (1992), in the opening scene of Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List" (1993) and James Cameron's "True Lies" (1994).

"Por Una Cabeza." /CGTN Photo

The tango was performed by Argentinian dancer Leonardo Gaston Barrionuevo and U.S. dancer Miriam Mabel Larici.

"Lord of Dance."/CGTN Photo

The tap show at the ceremony was brought by the Lord of the Dance Troupe of Ireland, Shijia Primary School, Beijing, Jilin City Song and Dance Troupe, and music was by Irish composer Gerard Fahy.

(CGTN)